Integration of multi-sensor remote sensing, geological and geochemical data for delineation of Pb–Zn bearing carbonates of Middle Aravalli group in Zawar–Dungarpur Belt, NW India

Abstract

The rocks of the Aravalli Protocontinent of NW India are enriched in lead–zinc bearing deposits amongst which the Zawar mineralized belt is one of the famous for base metal deposits and was mined since ancient times. In the present study, an attempt has been made to identify and map the extension of the mineralized belt and base metal prognostic zones using the integration of multi-sensor remote sensing, geological and geochemical data. Remote Sensing studies were carried out using ASTER, AVIRIS-NG, and ASAR datasets to understand the extension and associated structural features of host rocks (dolomite in the present case) of lead–zinc mineralization from the Middle Aravalli Group. Relative band depth (B6 + B9/B8) was used to delineate the dolomite of the region using the ASTER imagery. Mineral map was derived using the AVIRIS-NG dataset with the help of the MTMF algorithm. Multifrequency and multipolarization ASAR datasets demarcated the structural features in the complexly deformed rocks of the extended belt. The obtained results from remote sensing were validated with the help of geological and geochemical studies. Geological studies (field surveys and petrographic studies) confirmed the presence of dolomites and associative mafics. Mineralogical, major oxides and trace elements data further substantiated the presence of dolomite, associated sulfides such as galena, sphalerite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite, and lead, zinc and copper in the Zawar–Dungarpur Belt. Presence of chromium and nickel were observed through the trace element studies of dolomite belt. The trace elements interpolated maps were superimposed by traced structural maps using ASAR datasets. The densely populated E-W lineaments are considered the suitable zones for base metal accumulation. These lineaments carried the base metal bearing fluid along with a low concentration of Chromium and Nickel. Under the finding of this study, the northern head of Hati Magra and near Keekawat are the suitable zones for Pb–Zn sulfide mineralization.

Keywords:

• Multi-sensor remote sensing
• lead–zinc mineralization
• carbonates
• Zawar

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India for providing the AVIRIS-NG and ASAR L & S SAR datasets for this study, and also thanks for providing the financial support for the research. The authors are also thankful to the USGS LPDAAC for providing the ASTER dataset under the open distribution policy for scientific research. Thanks are acknowledged to Dr. Prakshal Mehta and Mr. Santosh Lohar, Manager (Exploration) (Hindustan Zinc Limited, Vedanta) for their fruitful discussions about the Zawar region and its complexity. The authors are also thankful to the Head, Department of Geology, M. L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur for providing the necessary facilities at the departmental campus to conduct this study. We thank anonymous reviewers for their critical review of the original manuscript and their suggestions for improving the same. This paper is part of the Ph.D. thesis of Ronak Jain.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Financial support was provided by the SAC, ISRO, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India under the grant number EPSA/GHCAG/GSD/WP/15/2017 for carrying out the work.